This week we hosted a skills advisory panel for Health and Social Care, bringing together Skills for Care, West Midlands Care Association, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Integrated Care System, and a fantastic group of local Herefordshire registered care managers to shape the future workforce together.
We want to continue to support skills development that meets real workforce needs, and this session was key to ensuring our curriculum, training and qualifications directly respond to the demands of the sector.
The discussion focused on workforce challenges, including recruitment and retention, skills gaps, and the increasing need for a well-trained, resilient workforce to support a growing and ageing population across Herefordshire.
Partners also shared insight into the future direction of health and care, including a shift towards more integrated, community-based services, new hybrid roles, and a stronger focus on prevention and collaborative working across organisations. These conversations are critical in helping us align our provision to emerging roles and ensure our learners are prepared for the changing landscape of health and social care.
Employers and our students engaged directly, discussing career pathways, exploring interview opportunities and supporting students to better understand the realities of the sector, while giving employers early access to emerging talent. The session also highlighted the importance of digital, communication and professional skills, alongside strong induction and support for young people entering the workforce.
“Thank you to everyone who contributed to such an open and constructive discussion. Working collaboratively will support a future-ready health and care workforce for Herefordshire”- Julia Edmunds, Head of Business Development
Interested in working with us?
During this event, we also showcased the breadth of health and social care provision at the college, from Level 2 and 3 programmes and T Levels with industry placements, through to apprenticeships and higher technical qualifications. All the provision is designed to respond to sector priorities and support workforce readiness.
We were pleased to introduce our new Herefordshire College Employer Patron Programme, designed to recognise and reward organisations that actively engage with the college, whether that be shaping curriculum, providing industry placements and interview opportunities, or supporting student development and progression into employment.
Alongside this, there was a strong commitment from employers and partners to continue working collaboratively, from supporting curriculum development and mock interviews, to creating more meaningful industry experiences and strengthening the pipeline of skilled professionals into the sector.
To find out about joining our Employer Patron Programme, please contact:
Julia Edmunds
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07790 929 931
